God had carefully ordered steps that have ultimately taken me to places I never dreamed of.  He plucked me from the desert and planted me by streams of living water and set me free to know, live, and speak the truth. I can honestly say that if I died tomorrow, I have lived a full life.  In fact, I’ve been saying that for close to 20yrs now and His abundance continues to amaze me daily. 

I still plan but the steps I take are according to His leading.  I don’t fight Him nearly as much as to the placement of each. For My eyes have seen His masterful handiwork and in all the steps I wouldn’t have taken I would have lost out on these blessings:

I wouldn’t have been blessed with the most amazing wife ever

I wouldn’t have had 22 amazing children

I wouldn’t have traveled the world speaking and serving others. 

I wouldn’t have seen many give their lives to Christ. 

Yes! Praise God for His beautiful ordering of steps in my life; whether through valleys or over mountains, they have all resulted in His glory!  What an amazing God and Father we have!

Reflection

Spend a few moments thinking about the times when God has ordered your steps. 

What was the end result?

What did you learn from it?

Prayer

Father, Thank you for all of the “wouldn’t have’s” that I’ve been able to enjoy!  Continue to align my heart with Yours that I may enjoy every one of your steps.  Thank you for Your patience as I discover more and more who You are and how You work in my life.  May Your name be praised forever, Amen!

Let’s face it, there are days where you feel like life is about to swallow you up.  No matter how positive you try to make your attitude, every attempt seems to be met with failure.  You might even feel like things are better for a moment and then reality strikes. 

David was no stranger to this feeling.  He could have justified how he didn’t deserve the Saul’s unrelenting plots to kill him. Afterall, he was the rightful king chosen and anointed by God to rule over God’s people. Instead, he cried out to God. He placed his trust in His Father in heaven to come to his rescue. 

What are you facing today?  Chronic pain? Enemies that are giants? Emotional distress?  Cry out to God. Our Father in heaven will hear your cry and will answer you just as He answered David. He is faithful to walk with you in fire and in rain.  You will not be overtaken nor overcome!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

@brianfriedlf

This is the same God who gives us strength and peace.  There is no need to fear or worry, God is for us.  He chose to use His power to satisfy the law and to bring an eternity of peace for us.  What a mighty God we serve!

Personal Reflection

Do we really believe that nothing is impossible for God?  If we are honest we have all prayed prayers that were not specific because we were fearful they wouldn’t be answered.  Or sometimes we just avoid praying all together. The LORD is mighty in power and can do all things.  We ought to pray, boldly trusting Him.  Whether He chooses to grant what we ask is obviously up to Him.  Sometimes we give up asking because He hasn’t answered according to our will, but His and we don’t see the answer as a result.  Don’t let any of this stop you from asking your Father in heaven. What bold prayers need to be prayed today? Let’s pray them!

Prayer Focus

Father, we confess that we don’t ask sometimes because we are afraid you won’t answer.  Help us in our unbelief.  Give us the courage to pray bold prayers. We pray for our nation, we see our wickedness and we cry out to you asking for revival.  May we see our need and come running.  Change our hearts to desire only you. Teach us to walk in your ways. We will praise you forever, in the Name of Jesus, Amen!

#prayboldly #powerfulprayers #truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl

Anxiety is not a place you want to stay. Too many of us when faced with challenges spend too much time figuring out what we are going to do instead of looking for what God is teaching us. One of the lessons He continues to teach is that He is our rock and refuge.  We clearly see this theme over and over again in the Psalms.  When the psalmist is being pursued on all sides and anxiety is creeping in, he turns to the LORD reminds himself of the truth of who God is and His mighty works.

The LORD brings peace where there is turmoil, strength where there is none, and life where there is death. May you turn to Him today.

Personal Reflection

What are you most prone to be anxious over?  Is it possible that God is asking you to trust Him with that?   God’s Word reminds us of the truth of His faithfulness, love, and mighty works.  If you’re not in His Word meditating daily, you are setting yourself up for anxiety and a crash of anxiety.  Get a reading plan from YouVersion.com or a paper copy somewhere.  Get a good study Bible, read, and meditate on it today!  Begin in the gospels (John, Mark, Matthew, or Luke and move on to Acts and Psalms and see how God overcomes adversity and anxiety.

Prayer Focus

Father, meet us in our deepest anxiety and remind us who you are.  For even the wind and waves obey you. Nothing is outside the realm of your control.  Where we have doubt, replace it with faith.  For we believe; help us with our unbelief.  Let our minds be fixed on you continually and may our lips be filled with praise.  In the Name of Jesus, Amen!

This gives us a glimpse of the God we worship.  He has an amazing sense for detail, color, variation, shared design, harmony, sound, light, instinct….I could go on for days.  Wow!  What a mighty God we serve!   We come to this conclusion whether we study molecular biology or planetary sciences.  Everything functions together as it was designed to.  The very thought that random adaption and mutation produced what we enjoy is proposterous!   Because we see micro evolution exists, doesn’t automatically mean there is macro evolution (between species).  Regardless, there are evidences of an amazing designer in everything that was designed 

I have taken a picture of the sunrise and sunset almost every day for at least the last four years.  Every single one is unique and different.  And the LORD has put each day in motion.  They declare His glory and speak of His might!

Personal Reflection

Let’s be honest. Sometimes we worry about the trials of this life, even as children of God.  I find myself doing that as well.  Isn’t it silly when you think about it.  The God who spoke into being every plant and animal you experience, in all their complexities, is patiently caring for you.   So we worry, because…?

I have a little experiment for you today.  Every time you see the sky, think about the God you serve. Think about all He has created. Meditate on every animal you can think of.  Think about how vast, knowledgeable, and caring your LORD is and see if your worry stills seems great?

Prayer Focus

God you are more vast than the deepest parts of the universe.  We praise you for the works of your hands; for we are one of them. We thank you that we can glorify you.  Open our eyes to see you fully that we may worship you in Spirit and in Truth.  All of your creation gives you glory, honor and shouts praises without end. Let us rest peacefully in your care today, in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

#howgreatisourGod #alltheearthwillshoutYourpraise #truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl

This reminds me of the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18.  

“Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, “O Baal, answer us.” But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made.”

1 Kings‬ ‭18:26 NASB

Baal did not answer because he is not God. Then it was Elijah’s turn:

Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.” Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God.””

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭18:37-39‬ ‭NASB‬‬

I love that the sacrifice was surrounded by a trench of water.  Clearly shows that nothing is impossible with God and that He is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine!

Personal Reflection

One of greatest dangers in this ala carte world is that we take a little tidbit from each religion and put it together to try to find happiness and not ruffle any feathers.  God is not a religion. He is God and rightly deserves to be acknowledged as such.  Anything taking His place becomes an idol that violates the “There is no other” statement above.  This can include other gods, work, self, sex, money…..and the list goes on. Meditate on what your life looks like when you fully place all your trust in The One True Living God. 

Prayer Focus

LORD God, you are the only true God. You have formed us from the dust of the ground with your own hands and breathed life from your very breath.  You are our God and we are your people. May we never let any other occupy your rightful place in our lives.  May we never look to another as lord.  Your mighty works have brought us to awe and wonder.  Our lips are filled with praise for you for all eternity.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

#thereisonlyoneGod #worshipGodalone #truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl

Peter is rebuked when he was in opposition after Jesus told them He must be crucified.  It was a harsh and necessary rebuke:

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” (Matt 16:23 NASB)

Faithful were those wounds that Jesus inflicted on Peter.  They were for Peter’s benefit. Each part of the wound was meant for good.

On the contrary how deceitful a thing it was for Judas to betray our Lord with none other than a kiss to identify Him for His arrest!  Notice Jesus response:

“Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.” 

(‭‭Matt 26:49-50‬ ‭NASB‬‬)

Two things here that could stir our emotions and desire for justice.

1) He calls him “Friend”

2) He seems unshaken by the fact that He is about to be arrested.

It is clear what is about to happen and Jesus, having the Holy Spirit, remains calm, trusting in the sovereignty of His Father. How powerful is that?  I have certainly been betrayed my fair share of times.   I’m sad to say my response at times has been one of seeking revenge and justice.  I’m reminded here by our Lord’s example that we need not worry or be anxious about justice or anything for that matter. For Our God is sovereign even in the midst of deceit.

Reflection

How easily are you shaken when someone deceives you?  We could use this proverb as grounds to possibly remove a few friends and try to avoid these deceivers, but something tells me you can’t avoid them completely.  Praise God today that nothing is outside the realm of His sovereignty!  We have no need to get worked up and anxious. We have the sovereign Lord in command over every second of our eternity.

Prayer

Father we confess to you we are prone to retaliation and wrath.   Guide our hearts to a place of trust. For you have said vengeance is yours.  Let us know, live, and speak the truth of your sovereignty each and every moment of today.  May the peace that passes all understanding guard our hearts in Christ Jesus right now, in His Name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#sovereignoverdeceivers #woundsofafriendarewelcome

#truthtalk4life